Getting deeper with DownTek, Patagonia, Sierra Designs and Westcomb on the ins and outs of water-repellant down.

Many brands are incorporating hydrophobic down, and each claims theirs is better than the competition, but where the insulation differs most is in the initial processing.

Sierra Designs, for one, decided to develop its own water-shedding insulation technique. Its DriDown is a DWR-like treated down that makes it water-resistant much like the type of finish used on a jacket. The molecular finish is applied during the cleaning and drying processes.

In the ever-changing ski industry, it can be hard to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. While down has been used for hundreds of years as a legit insulation, brands are still jumping into the space—from large companies like Arc’teryx to department store brands.

From fill power to feather treatments, here is the breakdown from some of the most prominent brands using down: